Sunshine State Seekers

09/08/2026

Labor Day weekend is often called the unofficial end of summer, and this year we had already decided it would also be the official end of the Osprey Packs baby carrier era for us.

We spent the weekend camping at Oscar Scherer State Park, planned as Torrey’s last ride in the backpack.

There is something pretty full circle about that. The last time we camped here, he was still too little to use it. The girls were still too small to carry him in anything as you can see…

Since then, that Osprey has carried him on at least 100 hikes, through parks and preserves all over Florida, and even onto the cover of A Hiker’s Guide to the Sunshine State.

Now he is almost three, much more capable on the trail, and much more interested in climbing trees, wandering off to investigate things, and doing everything himself.

Which is wonderful.

Right up until the exact second he decides he is DONE walking. 😂

At this point he is also just too big to be comfortable in the framed carrier, so we are passing it along to another family and trying to figure out what comes next.

We are looking for something for a 3+ year old who can hike plenty on his own but still occasionally needs to be carried. We are not looking for a stroller, and ideally we want something that works as a standalone carrier rather than something that has to attach to another pack. We will use it for regular day hikes and park adventures just as much as backpacking, so we want something we can grab on its own when needed.

Basically, we need a solution for that very specific toddler phase of: “I can do it myself” followed, without warning, by “carry me.”

Hiking parents, what worked for you after the framed backpack carrier stage?

It is definitely a little bittersweet retiring a piece of gear that has been part of so many of little man’s first adventures, but judging by the tree climbing lately, I think he is more than ready for whatever comes next. Florida State Parks

09/07/2026

i’m fairly certain this is the most Merica image ever captured…

07/02/2026

This week’s tragedy hit especially close to home.

The trailhead where it happened is part of the section of the Florida National Scenic Trail that our Central Florida Chapter helps maintain. It’s less than 6 miles from my house… about a 10-minute drive. This is a place I’ve hiked countless times and a place many of us know well.

When something like this happens in your own community, you often hear parts of the story that get glossed over in the media. In this case, that the dogs with the victim had been splashing in the water just moments before the attack. While we’ll never know exactly what caused this tragedy, it’s an important reminder that alligators are wild predators, and activity at the water’s edge, whether from people or pets, can attract their attention.

As I go through my photos over the next few days, I’m going to share some of the many alligators I’ve encountered over the years. Not because I want people to fear them, but because I want people to understand them.

The reality is that fatal alligator attacks are incredibly rare. They receive enormous attention because they’re shocking, while far more common dangers; car crashes, heat illness, drowning, lightning, and falls… rarely dominate the news in the same way. But “rare” doesn’t mean impossible, and respecting wildlife is one of the best ways to keep both people and alligators safe.

If you want to learn more, we recently had Gator Chris on The Florida Madcaps podcast to talk about alligator behavior, common misconceptions, and practical safety tips.

https://thefloridamadcaps.buzzsprout.com/2123524/episodes/19435500-gator-mannerisms-and-safety-in-florida-with-gator-chris?t=0

Knowledge is one of the best tools we have. Let’s use this tragedy as an opportunity to learn, respect wildlife, and help prevent another one.

06/14/2026

Today was a special day for our family.

We hiked out to Mud Spring, but the real reason for the trip was a milestone years in the making. With this hike, Torrey completed his final Trailwalker trail and officially became a Florida Trailwalker through the Florida State Forest Trailwalker Program.

This accomplishment is especially meaningful because outdoor adventure has become a family tradition. His older sisters earned their Florida Trailwalker recognition years ago, and Chris and I have both completed the Trail Warrior Program. Now Torrey has joined the club.

Watching him grow from a baby in a carrier to a little hiker determined to walk the trail himself has been one of the greatest joys of parenthood. The trails have given our family so much—adventure, confidence, resilience, and countless memories together.

We arrived at the spring early and had it all to ourselves for a while before other families began arriving. It was a beautiful morning and a fitting place to celebrate a big accomplishment.

We are incredibly proud of our newest Florida Trailwalker. Here’s to many more miles, muddy shoes, and adventures ahead. ❤️🥾🌲

Three Trailwalkers. Two Trail Warriors. One very lucky family.

06/10/2026

Sharing directly from the Florida Forest Service.

I’ve seen some discussion recently about whether places like this should be shared online.

I think it’s worth remembering that this isn’t a “secret spot” being leaked by an influencer. This is a publicly managed recreation area that the Florida Forest Service is actively promoting and encouraging people to visit.

The reality is that conservation often depends on people forming a connection with a place. Most of us fight to protect the things we’ve personally experienced. We volunteer, donate, vote, attend meetings, support land acquisitions, and speak up when public lands are threatened because we’ve walked the trails, paddled the rivers, camped under the trees, or watched wildlife there.

Of course visitation comes with responsibility. Public lands should be respected, Leave No Trace should be practiced, and sensitive areas should be managed appropriately.

But I don’t believe the biggest threat to Florida’s wild places is that too many people know they exist. The bigger threat is often apathy. Places that nobody knows about, nobody visits, and nobody values can be much easier to lose.

Thankfully, Tate’s Hell State Forest belongs to all Floridians, and the Florida Forest Service is inviting people to experience it.

06/07/2026

Tucked into the rural woodlands between Ochlockonee River and Bald Point state parks in the panhandle, a small spring sits on public land, in a quiet spot where planted sand pines stand over an surprisingly healthy sandhill habitat. This hidden swimming hole requires a half mile hike, and also features a primitive campsite on the other side of the water that can be reserved online.

Note: This spring has a relatively modest flow compared to some of Florida’s larger first-magnitude springs. Water clarity and color can vary significantly depending on recent rainfall, groundwater conditions, and seasonal factors. At times, the spring may appear crystal clear and blue, while at other times it can take on a darker, tannin-stained (“brown”) appearance. Satellite imagery and recent visitor photos may not always reflect current conditions.

Florida Forest Service

06/02/2026

05/04/2026

May the Forest Be With You 🌿

Seven years ago today, Christopher and I got married on the banks of the St. Johns River with Spanish moss overhead, wildflowers in hand, and the Front Porch Backsteppers playing us down the aisle. We tried our best to avoid May 4th, to avoid the star wars reference but the date kept calling us back. For us, it was never about lightsabers. It’s always been May the Forest Be With You.

This was a second marriage for both of us, and there was nothing wrong with who came before, just the humbling gift of eventually finding your person. The one who will hike through palmetto scrub in July and call it a good day.

We celebrated seven years the only way that made sense: on a trail, with the little boy we spent years hoping for, now trotting ahead collecting sticks and jumping roots. That was enough.

What I’ve learned in this marriage is that milestones are more reachable when you’re genuinely part of a team. We check in constantly, recalibrate when life shifts, and make sure we’re still walking toward the same horizon. The trail teaches you that.

These were amazing photos were taken by CLD Photography

Here’s to seven years, miles of trail, and every step still ahead. 🧡🌿

Happy anniversary, Waterbear. There’s no one I’d rather walk with.

04/24/2026

📖 It’s officially out in the world.
Preorders are now arriving on doorsteps. (Official release date May 12)

The Hiker’s Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandra Friend and Christopher Stevens — years in the making, and I couldn’t be more proud.

When I lived in Corvallis, Oregon, I had a trail guide just like this one. I made it my mission to hike every trail I possibly could, scribbling notes in the margins, jotting down opinions, reading every entry. I’m not sure I ever finished them all — but I remember how that book made me want to go. It made the outdoors feel possible and personal.

I never could have imagined that one day this would be our life.

Torrey and I got to hike many of these sections alongside Chris. I was there behind the scenes too — the late nights, the conversations about icons and placement and the hundred small decisions most readers will never think about, but will appreciate.

The cover photo even came from a trail right down the street from our house. (I have included a photo of Lyra and Elise taken at the same location years ago.) The publisher made the final call, and when we saw it, we were so glad. It’s perfect. A memory Torrey will have forever.

I remember the first time I met Sandra in person — a book signing, a photo with our girls. I had no idea this would be someone who would be in our lives for a long time.

I hope this book does for others what that Oregon guide did for me — makes you grab your shoes, pick a trail, and go.